Growing through the rocks: Nelson Madela

Photography: Jetta Marie
Poem: Jetta Marie
Gratitude Of The Day: The selfless leaders who are examples of peace and courage, and to whom we can look up to. In today's world full of corruption in politics and selfish idols, its is hopeful to me that there are still some of us who are willing to fight for goodness. Thank you, Mr Mandela, for the example and legacy of overcoming your past, and fighting for what is right. Thank you for standing for those who did not know how to stand for themselves. Thank you for having the courage to preach forgiveness, and show us what peace means. Thank you for being an example for the rest of us.

From the rocks he grew 

And from the hardships of his life,

He understood pain;

He understood the struggles 

That were facing the nation he loved,

And he not only saw,

But took to heart 

The suffering of his brothers.

 Like many of us,

He was given a choice;

To complain of the hardships,

Or to overcome,

And lead the march

To finding peace for a country

Still trapped in patterns of inequality.

But perhaps the greatest legacy

In all the teachings of his life,

Was his example of forgiveness.

He did not waste time hating

Those who wronged him and his nation,

But rolled up his sleeves 

And set to work 

To make a change 

Like so many legends before him.

John Lennon spoke to the souls of men

Through lyrics and songs inspired,

And helped us to remember

To give peace a chance.

He confronted the leaders of a nation

Engulfed in war and blinded of light,

And sang to them of what they had forgotten

For he loved without measure,

And he had the courage to sing uninhibited;

Mother Teresa,

Saw the suffering around her,

And Knew there was work to be done.

She made a vow to devote her life,

To bringing comfort and care

To those who needed it most;

To those who were shunned by society,

She not only saw, 

But she had the courage to stand

For those who could not stand on their own

Martin Luther King Jr.

A man with a dream,

For hatred to stop.

An example for us all, 

 that no one,

No matter their past,

No matter their transgressions,

Can claim they cannot chose,

To change themselves

Abondond their sin

And lead a life inspired.

each man, woman and child

Can find peace in themselves

And accept a calling

To be the courage for others, 

And inspire change,

As Martin Luther chose

 To inspire his fellow men

To speak out against the hatred

Contained within the conceptions of segregation.

He stood tall

Knowing full well he was challenging fire,

And that he risked his life

Each day that he stood tall

And led his marches for a better life.

He never preached war

He never encouraged retaliation,

For he knew better than to give

Into the temptation to hate.

He  loved without measure,

And Will be an example of peaceful change

For all generations.

And so, now Madela, rest;

Know that you can now take your place

Among the heroes in history books,

And the promoters of peace

Who came before you,

And worked beside you

In efforts to change the world.

You made your mark,

And your battle was won,

And through your example

Your peaceful warriors can continue 

The legacy you started.

Rest well now, hero, 

For in a great leader,

Hope can be restored,

And those who looked up to you

Can follow your example of courage

And lead the way to a new dawn

And continue the path to peace.

Rest well beside your comrades,

And know that you shall never be forgotten.

From the rocks you grew

Into a strong and peaceful oak,

That shall spring new seeds of peace 

Long after you are gone.

For a new hope has begun,

In the land you called home.

And a new cry for peace has been heard

Across the world we know.

What you have done

And the life you lived,

Can never be forgotten.